hi does anyone have a purefreedom controller mine always says low battery , whats the best controller to go for please
Sorry for the long winded answer but this covers most issues:
BAT means the battery voltage has dropped to 11V (11.5V for V9 controls) or less. The controller measures the voltage supplied to it down the RED and BLACK wires from the battery.
Note: The controller is showing the voltage measured at the controller not the battery. You may find that testing the battery with a volt meter will show a higher reading. To measure volt drop down the cable also meausre voltage at the controller and at the pump. The controller is sensitive to small changes in voltage, Even a drop over milliseconds will be detected so a loose or damaged connection would register at the controller.
Note: We recommend for a single pump system that as a minimum a 75AH leisure battery is used. For two pump systems a minimum 110AH battery should be used. As the pump(s) draw current (amps) from the battery the volts are directly affected Ohms Law
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohm%27s_lawRememeber in Geneal the each pump will draw between 3 and 5 amps an hour depending on how fast and efficient the pump is. As the amps available fall initially volts fall steadily however after continuous use the Volts will fall away sharply.
A Batt indication can be caused by the following:
1. A restriction to the water flow in the system. This will make the pump work harder, which in turn will draw more current and drag the voltage down.
2. The wires from the controller to the battery are too long. These wires should be as short as possible, because the longer the wire the greater the voltage drop. For example, the system could measure 12.5V at the battery but only measure 11.5V at the controller when the pump is running. This is because of the losses in the wiring from the battery to the controller.
Check at the connectors and ensure there is no corrosion or damage connectors - poor connections will cause a voltage drop between the battery - controller and pump.
3. Poor connections to the controller. Do not change or replace the connectors supplied with the controller. If you do, you risk making a poor connection, which will also result in too large a voltage drop, thus triggering the BAT message to display.
4. Your battery may need charging.
5. Your battery may be getting old and inefficient and not holding its charge.
6. Your Pump may have worn motor brushes and draw higher current this will increase any voltage drop down the cable
7. Colder weather can effect the viscosity of water effectively making it flow slower, The pump will have to work harder drawing higher current. This will shorten battery life.
REMEMBER! If the voltage drops to 11.5V the controller will display BAT as a warning. If the votage drops below 11.0V, the controller will shut down the system completely in order to protect the battery. Manufacturers recommend that a battery is not run below 11.0V. (If you connect the battery directly to the pump, the system will still work but you may shorten the working life of the battery.)
If none of the above have an effect try the following
The meter is attached at the battery. It shows no drop, because there is no drop at the battery. Next connect the meter at the controller what is the reading is it lower than at the battery? This is because of the voltage drop down the cable to the controller.
Also check the connections (bullet crimps may be old and corroded. Spend some time and replace them). Also shorten the cables if there is excess wire.
The volt drop is happening for a reason something is making it happen. It may be the pump is taking too much current and this WILL increase the volt drop. The controller is only reporting exactly what it is seeing. First thought is the controller is the problem, but it probably isn't.
You could try to disconnect the pole and fit an adapter so water can flow. Turn on the controller at the same rate. What is the controller reading now? Close to 13V and the pole has a problem. If the controller still reads close to 11.7V
Then next disconnect the hose reel and fit an adapter. If reads close to 13V then the problem is the hose. If close to 11.7V then there is a problem either in the system before the hose or with the pump.
You can also connect the pump and battery direct put a voltmeter on the pump is there still a volt drop?
Note: Old wiring corroded connectors broken connectors will all have an impact on any volt drop down the cable, Also there may be a break in the cable worn or damaged insulation that will again cause a volt drop. In some cases it may be worth replacing old or worn cables.